Electric switch.



. PATENTED MAR. 21, 1905.

D. B. GRAY. ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION TILED JUNE 6. 1904.

. avwe/wtoz flavz d E Gray, 14 ai s Q vi/bneoae 'plane of the line X X of Fig. 1.

UNITED STATEs Patented March 21, 1 90 5.

own) r. GRAY, or NEW YO K, NJY.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 785,419, dated March 21, 1905.

-Applica.ion filed June 6,1904. Serial No. 211,251.

tus, and particularly to an electric switch.

The object of my invention is to construct -a switch of simple form in such a manner that the switch-arm may bercadily removed to prevent tampering with the same. It is particularly designed for use as a starting-switch for motor boats vand cars.

The invention consists in improvements the principles of which are illustrated in the accompanying single sheet of drawings.

Figure 1 is a plan view ofa switch embod ying the improvements of my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same, taken on the Fig. 3 is adetail perspective view of the switch-arm slightly modified. Fig. -i is a plan view of another form of switch of my invention. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the same on the plane of the line Y Y of Fig. i. Fig. 6 is a detail side elevation of the switch-arm. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the spring-contact of the switch shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

1 is a base member constructed of some suitable insulating material.

2 indicates the main contact in the form of a post with which electrical connection is ma. e.

3 3, are the secondary contacts, of which there may be several raised above the surface of the base.

A is an arm adapted to make connection with the contact 2 and with either one of the contacts 3 3, depending on the positionof the arm.

5 is an insulating knob or handle carried by the arm 4. v

6 is an enlarged head or projection carried by the post-contact 2.

7 indicates a slot or opening in the switcharm 4 of a form to correspond with the enlargcd head 6 ol' the post When the parts are in the position shown in the drawings, the current will pass to one of the contacts 3, wlulc the arm is held securcly in position.

8 is a spring which presses against the plate 9 and serves to hold the arm 1 in contact with the post 2, the spring being in the form of a cup-shaped disk. This arm may he readily removed by simply rotating it with respect to the contact 2 until the opening 7 is in alincmcnt with the enlarged end 6. \Vhen the arm 4 is removed, the switch is inoperative. Thisconstruction is mrthz-ularl useful on launches and automobiles or motorcars to prevent tampering with the mechanism whcn the operator is away. It is simply necessary to remove the arm and replace it when desired. In the form of arm shown in Fig. 3 the recess or opening 7' in the arm is of irregular shape, illu trating but one of the many forms which this invention is adapted to take, soas to provide a large number of different forms of switches, the arms for which will not be intel-changeable. The contact-postot' each switch has a head to correspond with the slot in its proper arm.

in the form 'shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the switch-arm 4 has a handle .3 and an enlargement or projection 43'. 2' indicates the main contact, havinganopeningT". 8' 8' are springarms forming the sides of the opening 7" and serving topress against the enlarged end 6'. 9' represents a plate secured to the upper surfaccofthc base I and havin an openinglhcrein through which the head 6 may pass. One of the contacts in this case is situated on the interior of the base 1 instead of on the outside, thus afi'ording an additional means of protection to prevent tampering. The blades or projections 6' may be made in as many varying forms 2lS l\'U Y-l)l:l(lt!s:ll'0 made. 1O 10 are blocking devices. The blades and blocking devices have'correspomling projections and recesses, soas to prevent a switch-m SI) having improperlysshaped blades being inserted and rotated. It will be noted in this form it would be impossible to rotate the switch-arm unless the blades have the proper projections. It will be noted that it would be impossible to insert the head 6' on this switch-arm unless it corresponds in form to the opening in the I!) 1. In an electric switch, thecombination of an insulating-base, a stationary electric contact carried thereby, a main contact, a switcharm, one of said latter parts having an onlarged head or projection and the other hav- 5 ing a correspondingly-forinod opening, said arm being pivoted on said main contact, mov-' ablein a plane parallel to said base and removable after electrical connection is broken with said stationary contact.

' 2. In an electric switch. the combination of an insulating-base, a main contact, astationary contact carried by and projecting above the surface ofsaid base, a pivotally mounted switch-arm rotatable in a plane parallel to said 4 base for affording an electrical connection between said contacts and means for removing said switch-arm by a movementat rightangles to said base but only after electrical contact has been broken by a rotative movement.

3. In an electric switch, the combination of an insnlating-base,a secondary contact secured thereto, a main contact carried by said base aifording an axis at right angles to said base. a switch-arm; one of said elements having an enlarged head or projection and the other having an opening corresponding in form to said enlarged head and spring means for holding said arm in contact with said post, said arm afl'ording electrical connection between said contacts, the enlarged head and the opening being so arranged that said arm may be removed by a rotary and longitudinal movement.

Signed at Sew York, N. Y., this 3d day of June, 1904.

. DAVID E. GRAY.

Witnesses:

L. VREELAND, Rom. S. ALLEN. 

